Medical Career Advising Resources Project

Professional Description

An orthopedic surgeon is trained to use surgical, medical, or physical means to restore
the form and function of the extremities, spine, and associated structures. An orthopedic
surgeon is involved with the care of patients whose musculoskeletal problems include
congenital deformities, trauma, infections, tumors, metabolic disturbances of the
musculoskeletal system, deformities, injuries, and degeneratieve diseases of the spine,
hands, feet, knee, hip, shoulder, and elbow in children and adults. An orthopedic
surgeon is also concerned with primary and secondary muscular problems and the effects
of the central or peripheral nervous system lesions of the musculoskeletal system.